Former Match of the Day presenter Jimmy Hill dies aged 87

Former football player and Match Of The Day presenter Jimmy Hill has died aged 87, his agent has confirmed.

The Londoner, who made his name playing for Fulham in the 1950s, enjoyed a second career as a distinguished broadcaster.

He died after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for a number of years.

In a statement, his agent, Jane Morgan, said: “It is with great sadness that Bryony Hill and the children of Jimmy Hill have announced that Jimmy passed away peacefully today aged 87 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Bryony was beside him.”

Hill will be cremated at a private ceremony.

A service for his friends and colleagues will be held in the new year, his agent said.

He was a controversial character among some Sunderland fans after his tactics at a crunch relegation match when he was chairman at Coventry in 1977.